Asia Bangladesh Recent studies demonstrated that microplastics are present in water, sediments, fish, salt, soft drinks, milk, edible oil and more products in Bangladesh, underscoring the growing concern that these pollutants are transferred to humans through food
Europe Albania For many families in Tirana buying an apartment, a realistic goal up to a short time ago, is now unaffordable: wages haven't risen at pace with apartment prices surging up to 5.500 euros sq/m in a market that experts say is distorted by speculation
Africa eSwatini The songs for the 2026 Ingwenyama Cup Culture, combining football with Swazi heritage, will be released next week to give time to prepare for the competition as they will provide insights into the theme of the contest this year
Europe Czech Republic 935.000 legal foreign workers, 360.000 from Ukraine, were employed in the Czech Republic in 2025, +11% on 2024; despite this, firms still face a shortfall, with the Chamber of Commerce estimating a need for around 250.000 more workers
Asia Brunei As Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah underwent knee replacement surgery, with a two to three months expected recovery period, a special Doa ceremony at Religious Teachers University College and nationwide prayers were organized for his well being
Oceania Australia Off Shark Beach, a shark attacked a boy of about 13 who was swimming in Sydney Harbour, leaving him in critical condition with serious leg injuries
Africa Guinea Soumbara, a traditional condiment made from fermented néré seeds essential in many West African cuisines is becoming increasingly scarce with prices rising sharply in the markets of Lélouma where is called brown gold
Asia Iraq A middle school inside Nasiriyah Central Prison will open as part of Ministry of Justice efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and reform programs by supporting inmates’ educational pathways within a comprehensive correctional environment
Asia Jordan Over 7.000 Christian pilgrims from across the Kingdom took part in the annual pilgrimage to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, Al Maghtas, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, coinciding with the Feast of the Epiphany marked by the Orthodox Church
Africa Benin As part of the Vodun Days 2026 event in Ouidah, in Maro Square paintings of the Egungun are on display, depicting them dancing: the Vodun Days Artistic Direction has chosen to go beyond live performance adding an exhibition of paintings of the Egungun
America Cuba Plans and measures 'for transitioning to a state of war' have been approved; a brief note indicates that the decision was made as part of Cuba's preparation of the mobilization of workers and civilian officials to confront a presumed US invasion
Africa Sierra Leone Citizens expressed dismay following the release of 2024 Auditor General Report, which shows that one of the key institutions they anticipated could be implicated in the embezzlement of public funds, the Office of the President, was not in the document
Europe Malta Malta national waterpolo team players are being investigated for allegedly betting on their own matches at the European Championships; currently in Belgrade for finals, they are suspected of having bet on the goal difference of game against Montenegro
Africa Somalia The President of Somalia arrived in Lasanod, capital of Sool region, Khatumo, a disputed area in the north of the country; his visit is highly symbolic, as he is the first Somali head of state to set foot in the city in decades